French Minister Delegate to the Minister of Armed Forces Alice Rufo met with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on Saturday, delivering a message from President Emmanuel Macron. The meeting in Algeria occurred as France appears keen to reactivate the stalled memory file between the two nations, evidenced by the delegation's insistence on including Benjamin Stora in a separate meeting with the Minister of Mujahideen. This insistence by the French delegation on including Benjamin Stora in the meeting with the Minister of Mujahideen suggests a French desire to revive the memory file. Ms. Rufo acknowledged the painful historical events, stating, "The truth is that on May 8, 1945, while France was celebrating victory over barbarism, tragic events were simultaneously taking place in Sétif, Guelma, and Kherrata." Rufo further noted that on May 8, 1945, while France celebrated victory over barbarism, tragic events were occurring in Sétif, Guelma, and Kherrata, directly referencing the historical massacres.
Delegation's Diplomatic Engagements
Historian Benjamin Stora, who leads the mixed committee for researching the memory file from the French side, participated in the French delegation's meeting with Algeria's Minister of Mujahideen and Victims of War, Abdelmalek Tacherif. Stora's presence shows France's continued engagement with the sensitive historical issues between the two nations and its commitment to addressing the shared past. As head of the mixed committee for researching the memory file from the French side, his participation is seen as a key indicator of French intentions.
This follows other high-level visits earlier in the year, indicating a broader pattern of diplomatic engagement. French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin traveled to Algeria in February, where he was received by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. This visit noted ongoing discussions at the ministerial level. Additionally, Ségolène Royal, who heads the 'France-Algeria Association', also visited the country and was similarly received by President Tebboune. Her reception by the President of the Republic further emphasized the importance placed on these exchanges. These visits highlight ongoing diplomatic exchanges between Paris and Algiers across various governmental and civil society levels, suggesting a concerted effort to deepen bilateral relations beyond historical grievances.
Historical Context and Stagnation
Historian Benjamin Stora expressed hope that the memory file between France and Algeria would regain momentum after nearly two years of stagnation. The mixed Algerian-French committee's work on the memory file ceased after French President Emmanuel Macron's decision in July 2024 to support Morocco's autonomy plan regarding the Western Sahara issue. This decision had previously led to a diplomatic chill between Algiers and Paris. No specific date has yet been set for resuming consultations with the Algerian side of the mixed committee, which is headed by historian Mohamed Lahcen Zghidi, leaving the exact timeline for renewed discussions uncertain. French Minister Delegate Alice Rufo showed the importance of confronting the past, stating on Friday in Sétif that "one must have the courage to look at history as it happened, respecting the memory of Algeria and the Algerian War." Rufo also acknowledged the painful events that occurred simultaneously with France's victory celebrations. "The truth is that on May 8, 1945, while France was celebrating victory over barbarism, tragic events were simultaneously taking place in Sétif, Guelma, and Kherrata," she said, referencing the massacres that occurred in those Algerian cities and the need for a frank historical accounting.
Economic and Cultural Ties
Beyond the memory file, other avenues of cooperation are being explored. Anne-Claire Legendre, who heads the Arab World Institute in Paris and previously served as an advisor to the Élysée Palace for North Africa and the Middle East, visited Algeria. Her visit occurred at the invitation of Algeria's Minister of Culture, Malika Bendouda. This engagement notes cultural diplomacy efforts between the two nations, aiming to foster understanding and collaboration through artistic and intellectual exchange. Since the initial warming of Algerian-French relations in the first months of this year, both countries have engaged in discussions on various files, including immigration and security cooperation, indicating a broadened scope of bilateral issues. These dialogues signify a broader scope of interaction beyond historical memory, encompassing contemporary challenges and shared interests. Patrick Martin, who leads the French MEDEF movement, visited Algeria, bringing with him a delegation of French businessmen. This visit shows efforts to strengthen economic ties and explore business opportunities between France and Algeria, following the renewed diplomatic momentum and signaling a desire to boost trade and investment.
